About Us

Margaret Thatcher with William Bell (far left) unveiling a plaque at Lawrence Campe Almshouses, Friern Barnet, the first project restored by the Trust in 1982

The Heritage of London Trust was originally set up in 1980 by the Historic Buildings Division of the Greater London Council, with the blessing of Sir John Betjeman. William Bell and Ashley Barker worked closely with Sir John Lambert, who was the Trust's first Director. We are deeply honoured to have His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester as our patron.

The Trust developed as a grant giving trust since the GLC had no funding with which it could encourage the careful restoration of listed buildings in London. This work continues. Alongside the grant programme the Trust has built up an educational programme to make people more aware of the rich heritage in which they live and work. We have held lectures, visits and fund-raising events all over London.

In 1993 it became clear that a revolving-fund trust was needed to tackle the most seriously dilapidated buildings and the Heritage of London Trust Operations was founded as a separate Trust to regenerate the poorest areas of London. Malcolm Crowder was the Trust's first Project Organiser and he continued until his retirement in 2007, when he became the Trust's first President. HOLT Ops has been very successful in rescuing houses in Ashfield Street, Thorpe Coombe Hospital, the Doctor's House at Langthorne Hospital, Poplar Old Library on the Blackwall Tunnel Approach Road and St. Pancras Waterpoint. Laura Norris is the new Project Organiser.